Photograph depicting two sampans being sculled over the stern at Shanghai. The one in the foreground is shown broadside-to with two occupants. The helmsman at the stern is standing in front of a stool and working the long sculling sweep while the other is sitting amidships. Both are dressed in light coloured clothing.

To the left of the sampan and in the middle-distance, is another single-ended sampan being sculled. The sampan has many open weave lobster pots - or similar large weave baskets [?] stowed at the bow.

In the distance tare three storey buildings and vessels along the quayside of the Shanghai Bundt. This includes several large steam vessels, two are merchant vessels. In the middle distance is another sampan with a sail set on a single mast.

The original negative envelope stated 'Sampans Shanghai, 1900', while the back of the contact print states 'Sampans Shanghai, October 1900.'